Hardwood floors bring warmth and natural beauty to your space. And with proper care, you can enjoy their comfort and elegance for decades to come. But even with their durability, hardwood floors are harder to keep intact than you may think.
Easy Tips for Caring for Hardwood Floors
Here are a few easy tips to care for your hardwood floors and keep their shine for years:
Wipe spills immediately
Quickly clean up any dirt, spills, and other small problems before they develop into serious ones. Use a dust mop to wipe up the spills, and then use the no-wax wood floor cleaner to remove any residue.
Dust and vacuum your floor regularly
The more traffic your hardwood floor gets, the more often it should be vacuumed. Dust and dirt contain tiny particles that can be as abrasive as sandpaper, underfoot, and will gradually wear through the floor finish or get ground in if not removed. Use a vacuum or dust mop to remove the dust, dirt, and other debris that could scratch the floor.
Use a vacuum floor-brush attachment (or with a felt surface running along the floor), as opposed to a beater bar attachment (or one with rotating brushes) to avoid scratching the floor. Do this at least once a week.
Periodic deep cleaning
Vacuuming is not enough to remove all the dirt and grime, so you should use a liquid cleaner occasionally for deep cleaning. You can pick any commercial wood cleaning product, but use it as directed by the manufacturer. Alternatively, you can prepare a homemade cleaner by mixing one-part vinegar with 10 parts warm water.
To clean your hardfloor, saturate a sponge mop or rag in the cleaning solution and then wring it out thoroughly so it’s damp (not wet). Use it to carefully mop the floor without putting too much liquid. Rinse the rag with clean water, wring it thoroughly, and then mop the floor to remove the cleaner. Use a clean, dry towel to wipe up the excess water.
Additional Tips to Keep in Mind
Keep in mind that liquids can stain the wood floor or damage the finish. So make sure that you don’t overclean your hardwood floor. Also place doormats inside and outside your rooms to reduce the dirt and moisture tracked in.
